A property bubble is forming in Bangkok and other Thai cities, as well as in Vietnam and Myanmar, partly because of euphoria over the forthcoming Asean Economic Community, an economist has warned, while a senior banking executive played down such fears, saying no bubble had been detected.

Thai farmers and traders stand to lose business as they face a serious challenge from many foreign firms, mainly Singaporean, which have set up rice-trading operations and plantations here under Asean seamless trade.

At a United Nations forum in Singapore late last month, policymakers were told that Asia needs clean energy to power sustainable and inclusive economic growth. Balancing sustainable development with high rates of economic growth requires agreement on a new energy compact for Asia and the Pacific.